ES2283709T3 - WAXED CHEESE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Wax-coated cheese including (a) a portion of cheese (5), (b) a first inner layer of wax (1) covering said portion of cheese (5), (c) a second outer layer of wax (4) covering said first inner layer of wax (1), (d) a tear strip (2) between said first inner layer and second outer layer of wax (1, 4) covering selected portions of said first inner layer of wax ( 1) and including at least one portion (3) protruding from said first inner layer and second outer layer of wax (1, 4) and including an adhesive layer to adhere said tear strip (2) to said first inner layer of wax (one).

Description

Cheese coated with wax.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cheese wax coated, a new coating / opening system and a process to do it.

Description of the prior art

In many consumer packaging applications, it is important to prevent air or water or the like from leaving or Enter the package containing certain products. This is especially true regarding cheese packs in which the contained product must be maintained in a constant environment to avoid waste and deterioration. In order to conserve the integrity and safety of such cheese product contained within such a package, the periphery of the package must be hermetically sealed.

It is known by several technical documents previous protect the cheese against the superficial deterioration produced  mainly by the formation of mold, by means of a film surrounding consisting of a waterproof coating material flexible such as wax, which covers the cheese to be protected and in which embed a strip from which one or two ends protrude from the outer surface of the surrounding envelope, allowing for so that the cheese is disengaged from the envelope after having removed said strip.

Such cheese products and processes to do so They are described, for example, in French Patent Number 1,388,048.

The entire packaging process in which cheese It is covered with the protective wax layer and with the tear strip It must take place under strict hygiene conditions necessary to extend storage life, which is complicated and expensive.

A packaging system and a process are needed to pack cheese less complicated and less expensive.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a cheese wax coated including

(to)

 a cheese portion,

(b)

 a first inner layer of wax covering said portion of cheese,

(C)

 a second outer layer of wax covering said first layer inside,

(d)

 a tear strip between said first inner layer and second layer wax exterior covering selected parts of said first inner layer of wax and including a portion that protrudes from said first inner layer and second outer layer of wax e including an adhesive layer to adhere said tear strip to said first inner layer.

In preferred embodiments of the invention said first inner layer of wax is colorless and / or said second outer layer of wax is colored.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention said tear strip includes a plurality of holes at long, through which said first inner and second layer outer layer of wax are firmly connected.

Cheese can be natural cheese, cheese Processed, cream or fresh cheese or any other type of cheese. He Preferred cheese is processed cheese.

The cheese portion can have any shape desired and is preferably triangular.

The invention also provides a system. corresponding packaging useful for packaging a portion of cheese indicted.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the tear strip surrounds the three side walls of the portion Triangular processed cheese and has an outstanding portion.

In another preferred embodiment, the strip of torn is arranged in the two elongated side walls of the triangular portion of processed cheese and has one or two portions outstanding.

       \ newpage
    

In another embodiment, the tear strip is arranged at the top and on an elongated side wall of the portion of processed cheese and has an outstanding portion.

In addition, the invention provides a process for pack a serving of cheese including

(to)

provide a portion of cheese with a first inner layer of wax,

(b)

place a tear strip with its adhesive layer over parts selected from said first inner layer of wax where said tear strip includes a portion that protrudes from said first inner layer of wax,

(C)

apply a second outer layer of wax on said first layer wax inside and said tear strip.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention said tear strip has a plurality of holes along, and step (c) is carried out under conditions that allow said first inner layer and second outer layer of wax are found together and form a firm connection in all holes of said tear strip.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1a is perspective side view of a triangular portion of cheese covered with a first inner layer of wax that is surrounded on its side walls with a strip of preferred tearing that has a plurality of holes and a protruding tear strip portion.

Figure 1b is a side perspective view. of the embodiment of the figure which is covered with a second outer layer of wax.

Figure 1c is a side perspective view. of the embodiment of figure 1b which is open on two sides after tearing the tear strip.

Figures 2a to 2c are perspective views sides of another embodiment corresponding to figures 1a to 1c with a preferred tear strip on the two side walls elongated portions of cheese that have a plurality of holes and a portion of protruding tear strip.

Figures 3a to 3c are perspective views sides of another embodiment of the present invention with a strip of preferred tearing at the top and on a side wall elongated portion of the processed cheese that has a plurality of holes and a portion of protruding tear strip.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to cheese and a New packaging system that is useful for packaging cheese. The key advantage of this new packaging system is the prevention of perform the entire packaging process under the strict conditions of hygiene required to prolong the duration in storage.

Cheese portions are simply covered under strict hygiene conditions with a layer of wax preferably colorless and all remaining packaging steps, it is that is, fix the tear strip over the first inner layer of wax and apply the second outer layer of wax, can be carried out under less strict hygiene conditions, which is very advantageous

Preferred embodiments of the invention with respect to the drawings.

Cheese can be any type of cheese known, for example natural cheese, processed cheese or cream or fresh cheese. Preferably it is processed cheese.

As mentioned above, the portion of cheese to be packed can have any desired shape but it is preferably triangular.

Figure 1a represents in a view in perspective a portion of cheese 5 that is covered with a first  inner layer of wax 1 and that is surrounded on its three walls sides with a tear strip 2 that has a portion 3 that protrudes from the tip of cheese portion 5 and that has, like a preferred embodiment, a plurality of holes 6 along its longitude. The tear strip 2 has been fixed on the first inner layer of wax 1 by means of an adhesive.

Figure 1b represents the embodiment of the Figure 1a that has been covered with a second outer layer of wax 4. The application of the second outer layer of wax 4 is worn carried out under conditions that give rise to the joint merger of two layers of wax 1, 4 so that they can be easily separated from cheese portion 5. The two layers of wax 1, 4 also melt together through the holes 6 of the tear strip 2 of so that it is firmly embedded between the two layers of wax 1, 4 and allow an exact opening of the outer layer of wax 4 at along the lines of the tear strip 2. The same applies to the first inner layer of wax 1 that adheres firmly to the strip of tearing 2 by means of the adhesive with which it has been fixed on the first inner layer of wax 1 and by means of holes 6 of the tear strip 2 through which the two layers of wax 1, 4 They have merged together. As it mentioned above, the holes in the tear strip refer to one embodiment preferred of the invention and are not necessary to carry the practice the invention. Normally, the adhesive layer on the strip torn is enough to form a firm connection with the first inner layer 1.

Figure 1c represents the same embodiment as has been opened by tearing the tear strip 2 from two sides of the triangular portions of cheese. You can see that the inner side of the tear strip 2 is covered with the first inner layer of wax 1 that has been torn from cheese portion 5 and the strip of Torn 2 can be separated easily and completely tearing more the tear strip 2 of the third side wall of the portion of cheese 5. Finally, the top and bottom including the second outer layer of wax 4 and the first layer united wax interior 1 can then be easily separated, and the Cheese portion 5 is prepared for consumption.

If the tear strip 2 has holes, the second outer layer of wax 4 is applied under conditions that give place to the joint fusion of the first inner layer of wax 1 and the second outer layer of wax 4 and the joint fusion also takes place through the holes of the tear strip 2, of so that the tear strip 2 is firmly fixed between the first inner layer and the second outer layer of wax 1, 4, so that the tearing of the tear strip 2 carries with it the parts corresponding to the first inner layer of wax 1 and the second outer layer 4.

After separating the upper portions and bottom of the second outer layer of wax 4 to which the first inner layer of wax 1 adheres firmly, cheese portion 5 It is ready for consumption.

A similar embodiment is depicted in a perspective view in figure 2a to 2c. The tear strip 2 it is fixed only to the two elongated side walls of the cheese portion 5 covered with the first inner layer of wax 1, but it has an outstanding tear strip portion so that can be opened by pulling the tear strip portion 3 towards and around the tip of the cheese portion 5. Then, it they can open the upper and lower portions of the outer layer of wax 4, and cheese portion 5 is prepared for consumption.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention will be represented in figures 3a to 3c. Here, the upper wall and a side wall of the cheese portion 5 are covered with the strip of tearing 2 which, again, has as a preferred embodiment a plurality of holes 6 along and an overhanging portion 3.

The situation after tearing the strip Torn 2 is depicted in Figure 3c. The upper portion of the cheese portion 2 and one of the elongated side walls are separated from the package and the cheese portion 5 can be taken out of the package and consumed.

The process for packing cheese according to the present The invention will now be illustrated in more detail. The process is will describe with respect to processed cheese. However, as has been mentioned above, the present invention is useful for any kind of cheese

As a separate first production step, it introduce hot and liquid processed cheese in wraps and cools These wrapped with processed cheese can be stored for several days before continuing with the production steps following.

After removal of the envelope, the Firm processed cheese sausage is sliced (preferably round) and each slice is cut into portions 5 (preferably 6 triangular portions 5). Because of this cutting operation, the preferred triangular portion 5 consists of 2 straight sides and 1 rounded side. After the cut, you are slices of cheese cut 5 (triangular in shape) are placed by separated on a conveyor belt. Transporting them automatically on tapes and rolls, portions 5 go through a waxing station The wax is hot and liquid and will cover the Portions 5 completely (preferably the wax is sprayed on the top and bottom of portion 5) with a first layer fine interior wax 1 that could be optionally colored. These production steps starting with the extraction of the wrapped up to the first layer of wax 1, they have to be made Under clean room environment. After these production steps it is possible to remove the waxed processed cheese portions and store portions (preferably under refrigeration) during several days.

The following steps can be done without clean room condition. Portions of processed cheese pre-enclosed, from storage or out directly from the first waxing step, they are passed through an applicator of standard labels that add a self-adhesive label with or without holes on the first inner layer of wax 1. There are several options on how to apply the label. Other ways are possible label and label placement in the first layer interior wax 1.

1st option: the self-adhesive label is a strip of prolonged rectangular tearing 2 with or without holes 6 that apply on both sides of the first inner layer of wax 1 with an overhanging portion 3 (opening handle) at the tip of the triangle (figures 1a-c).

2nd option: the self-adhesive label is a strip of prolonged rectangular tearing 2 with or without holes 6 that applied to the two long sides of the first inner layer of wax 1 with an overhanging portion 3 near the round side of the triangle (figures 2a-c).

3rd option: the self-adhesive label, almost of triangular shape with or without holes 6, is applied to the upper side and to one of the long sides of the first inner layer of wax 1. The protruding portion 3 is placed in a corner of the round side of the triangle (figures 3a-c).

After label placement on the portion of processed cheese, the portion passes automatically again  by transport in tapes and rolls by a second station of wax. This wax is also hot and liquid and will cover the portions completely (the wax is preferably sprayed on the upper and lower portion of the portion) with a second layer Thin outer 4 that could be optionally colored. The label Self-adhesive is designed in such a way that a part of the label be an outstanding portion 3 that is far from the portion of processed cheese and this part is expected to be used as the opening handle.

After cooling each serving of cheese processed waxed, can be packaged more. The options Packaging potentials are wrap, network placement, packaged in series or packaged in another container. The option preferred is wrap in a preprinted thin plastic film With an automatic packing machine.

The present invention will now be illustrated with a specific example that, however, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Example

Processed cheese is introduced in wrappers sausage of approximately 1 meter in length and a diameter of 98 mm After cooling, the sausage wrap is removed and They cut slices of cheese with a thickness of approximately 14 mm. Be Cut 6 servings of processed cheese 5 from each round slice with a diameter of 98 mm. The dimension of a triangular portion of Cheese 5 is equal to a segment with a radius of 49 mm, an angle of 60 ° and a height of 14 mm. The weight per triangle is approximately 20 g, 6 pieces is 120 g. Each triangle goes through a wax bath (white wax, -85 ° C) where the first inner wax layer is added  transparent 1. This wax is a mixture of waxes based on hydrocarbons and plastic. Triangular portion 5 advances in rolls and the wax is sprayed from the top and from the side bottom to ensure it is completely covered with wax. Be add approximately 1.5 g of wax (~ 0.1-0.2 mm thick). These operations are done in a clean room (according to Class 10,000 US Fed. Standard 209 D). The following operations they are carried out under "normal environmental conditions". After the wax bath, the triangular portion 5 is cooled to temperatures of approximately 20 ° C passing a cell of cooling (cold air circulation). Each portion 5 is maintained (by tapes) in a horizontal direction defined on the tape conveyor One side of the triangle is in the direction of the tear strip applicator. The tear strip applicator (standard equipment, PAYMENT company, applies a tear strip self-adhesive 2 that is made of polypropylene and coated with a layer adhesive The rectangular tear strip 2 (preferred embodiment) It contains 6 holes (preferably round, but it is also possible any other way). With the help of the adhesive, a side of the tear strip 2 in the inner wax layer 1. Passing a roller, the other side of the label is pushed over the layer of interior wax 1. The tear strip 2 is added according to the Figure 2 an outstanding portion 3 (opening handle). Every triangle then goes through a second wax bath (blue wax, sim75 ° C) where a second outer layer of wax 4 is added. This wax is a mixture of waxes based on hydrocarbons, plastic and blue pigments. Approximately 3.0 g of blue wax is added (~ 0.2-0.4 mm thick). The triangular portion advances in rollers and the wax is sprayed from the top and from the bottom side to ensure it is completely covered with wax. Since tear strip 2 contains holes, the second outer layer of wax 4 partially melts the first inner layer of wax 1 in the area of the holes. This results in good removing the 2 layers of wax 1, 4 by pulling the tear strip 2. After the wax bath, the triangular portions are maintained chilled (sim4 ° C) before they are ready to add a secondary container (eg cellophane wrapped).

Claims (27)

1. Wax coated cheese including

(to)

 a serving of cheese (5),

(b)

 a first inner layer of wax (1) covering said portion of cheese (5),

(C)

 a second outer layer of wax (4) covering said first layer wax inside (1),

(d)

 a tear strip (2) between said first inner layer and second layer wax exterior (1, 4) covering selected parts of said first inner layer of wax (1) and including at least a portion (3) protruding from said first inner layer and second layer wax exterior (1, 4) and including an adhesive layer to adhere said tear strip (2) to said first inner layer of wax (one).

2. Wax coated cheese according to claim 1, wherein said tear strip (2) includes a plurality of holes (6) throughout it through which said first inner layer and second outer layer of wax (1, 4) They are firmly connected. 3. Wax coated cheese according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the cheese is processed cheese. 4. Wax coated cheese according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said first inner layer of Wax (1) is colorless. 5. Wax coated cheese according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said second outer layer of Wax (4) is colored. 6. Wax coated cheese according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said portion of cheese (5) has a triangular shape 7. Wax coated cheese according to claim 6, wherein said tear strip (2) is arranged in the three side walls of said portion of cheese (5) and has an outstanding portion (3). 8. Wax coated cheese according to claim 6, wherein said tear strip (2) is arranged in the two elongated side walls of said portion of cheese (5) and It has one or two outstanding portions (3). 9. Wax coated cheese according to claim 6, wherein the tear strip (2) is disposed in the upper part and in an elongated side wall of the portion of Processed cheese (5) and has an outstanding portion (3). 10. Packaging system to package a portion cheese (5) including

(to)

 a first inner layer of wax (1) covering said portion of cheese (5),

(b)

 a second outer layer of wax (4) covering said first layer wax inside (1),

(C)

 a tear strip (2) between said first inner layer and second layer wax exterior (1, 4) covering selected parts of said first inner layers of wax (1) and including at least one portion (3) protruding from said first inner and second layer outer layer of wax (1, 4) and including an adhesive layer for adhering said tear strip (2) to said first inner layer of wax (1).

11. Packaging system according to claim 10, wherein said tear strip (2) includes a plurality of holes (6) throughout it through which said first layer inner and second outer layer of wax (1, 4) are connected firmly. 12. Packaging system according to claims 10 or 11 for packaging processed cheese. 13. Packaging system according to any of the claims 10 to 12, wherein said first inner layer of wax (1) It is colorless. 14. Packaging system according to any of the claims 10 to 13, wherein said outer layer of wax (4) is color. 15. Packaging system according to any of the claims 10 to 14, wherein said packaging system has a Triangular shape. 16. Packaging system according to claim 15, wherein said tear strip (2) is arranged in all three side walls of said portion of processed cheese (5) and has an outstanding portion (3). 17. Packaging system according to claim 11, wherein said tear strip (2) is arranged in both elongated side walls of said portion of processed cheese (5) and has one or two outstanding portions (3). 18. Packaging system according to claim 15, wherein said tear strip (2) is arranged in the part upper and on an elongated side wall of the cheese portion processed (5) and has an outstanding portion (3). 19. Process to pack a portion of cheese (5) including

(to)

provide a portion of cheese (5) with a first inner layer wax (1),

(b)

place a tear strip (2) on selected parts of said first inner layer of wax (1) where said tear strip (2) includes at least a portion (3) protruding from said first layer inside wax (1) and where said tear strip (2) has a adhesive layer for adhering said tear strip (2) to said first inner layer of wax (2),

(C)

applying a second outer layer of wax (4) on said first inner layer of wax (1) and said tear strip (2).

20. Process according to claim 19, wherein said tear strip (2) has a plurality of holes (6) at throughout it and where step (c) takes place under conditions that allow said first inner and second layer outer layer of wax (1, 4) melt together and form a firm connection through said holes (6) of said strip of torn (2). 21. Process according to claims 19 or 20, wherein said portion of cheese (5) is a portion of processed cheese (5). 22. Process according to any of the claims 19 to 21, wherein said first inner layer of wax (1) It is colorless. 23. Process according to any of the claims 19 to 22, wherein said second outer layer of wax (4) is colored. 24. Process according to any of the claims 19 to 23, wherein said portion of processed cheese (5) It has a triangular shape. 25. Process according to claim 24, wherein said tear strip (2) is arranged in the three walls sides of said portion of processed cheese (5) and has a outstanding portion (3). 26. Process according to claim 24, wherein said tear strip (2) is arranged in the two walls elongated sides of said portion of processed cheese (5) and has one or two outstanding portions (3). 27. Process according to claim 24, wherein said tear strip (2) is arranged at the top and in an elongated side wall of the portion of processed cheese (5) and It has an outstanding portion (3).